The R-type calcium channel is a type of voltage-dependent calcium channel. Like the others of this class, the α1 subunit forms the pore through which calcium enters the cell and determines most of the channel's properties. This α1 subunit is also known as the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, R type, alpha 1E subunit (CACNA1E) or Cav2.3 which in humans is encoded by the CACNA1Egene.[1][2][3]
They are strongly expressed in cortex, hippocampus, striatum, amygdala and interpeduncular nucleus.[4]
They are poorly understood, but like Q-type calcium channels, they appear to be present in cerebellar granule cells. They have a high threshold of activation and relatively slow kinetics.
^Soong TW, Stea A, Hodson CD, Dubel SJ, Vincent SR, Snutch TP (May 1993). "Structure and functional expression of a member of the low voltage-activated calcium channel family". Science. 260 (5111): 1133–6. Bibcode:1993Sci...260.1133S. doi:10.1126/science.8388125. PMID8388125.
^Catterall WA, Perez-Reyes E, Snutch TP, Striessnig J (December 2005). "International Union of Pharmacology. XLVIII. Nomenclature and structure-function relationships of voltage-gated calcium channels". Pharmacological Reviews. 57 (4): 411–25. doi:10.1124/pr.57.4.5. PMID16382099. S2CID10386627.